Freight positioning and retaining apparatuses



July 28, 1959 c. R. JOHNSTON 2,896,554

` FREIGHT POSITIONING AND RETAINING PFARATUSES original Filed Aug. 17,195e A 2 sheets-sheet 1 ///6' Imm/freu July 28, 1959 c. R. JOHNSTON l2,896,554

I FREIGHT POSITIOVNING AND-RETAINING PPARATUSES i Orig'inal Filed Aug.17, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENToR. ARLES 16am/w (/a/f/vsfQ/v nitedStates Patent FREIGHT POSITIONING AND RETAINING APPARATUSES Charles'Richard Johnston, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Transportation SpecialtiesCo., Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Original applicationAugust 17, 1956, Serial No. 604,674. Divided and this application March18, 1957, Serial No. 646,666

4 Claims. (Cl. 10S-369) My invention relates to new and usefulimprovements in freight positioning and retaining apparatuses and hasfor its principal object the provision in an apparatus of this characterof a method whereby a standard freight hauling vehicle may be readilyand economically converted into a vehicle which will receive and retainfreight of assorted shapes and sizes.

Another object of my invention is the provision in an apparatus of thischaracter of a means for equipping the interior of a freight haulingvehicle with a removable freight positioning and retaining member.

Yet another and equally important object of my invention is in theprovision in an apparatus of this character of an improved lfreightretaining bar which may be easily positioned and adjusted within saidfreight hauling vehicle.

Yet another and equally important object of my invention is in theprovision of an apparatus of this character whereby the freightretaining bars are constructed so as to have a self-locking head forengagement and cooperation with supporting members removably positionedon ythe interior walls of the freight hauling vehicle.

A further object of my invention is to provide freight retaining barsthat are equipped with a self-locking head which is telescopical withrespect to the body of the bar.

A further object of' my invention is in the provision of `an apparatusof this character whereby thefreight retaining bars are equipped withself-locking head portions that are rotatably carried by the freightretaining bar.-

Still another vobject of my invention is in the provision of anapparatus of this character whereby the self-locking heads of thefreight retaining bars when in latched freight retaining position arelocked against rotation with respect to said bar.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

The invention consists in the novel combination and arrangement of partsto be hereinafter described and claimed.

The invention will be best understood by reference to theaccompanying-drawings showing the preferred form of construction, and inwhich:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of the interior of`a freighthauling vehicle showing my present invention and operative positionthereof;

Fig. 2 is av perspective View of my improved freight retaining bar;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary side View of the retaining bar and its improvedself-locking head;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary bottom view of the subject matter disclosed inFig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary perspective View of my improved self-lockinghead in closed position;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary perspective View similar to Fig. 5, but showingthe self-locking head in open position;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary detail sectional view Vtaken on line 7--7 ofFig. 4;

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Fig. 8 is a fragmentary side View of my modifiedA Fig. 9 is afragmentarybottom view of the modified form shown in Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary sectional bottom view of the retaining bar andlocking head taken on line 10--10, Fig. 3;

Fig. ll is a fragmentary side elevational view of a modied form forremovably attaching my supporting means to the interior of a freighthauling vehicle.

This present application is a division of applicants co-pendingapplication, Serial No. 604,674, tiled August 17, 1956, now Patent No.2,806,436 dated. September 17, 1957.

The hauling of freight of assorted shapes and sizes has `established theneed for a shipper to simply and conveniently convert the interior of astandard` freight hauling Vehicle into a specialized design which willaccommodate the various sizes and load capacities of the assortedfreight to be shipped. The means and method to so convert the interiorof the vehicle is the subject matter of this invention.

Referring to Fig. 1, there is shown `a fragmentary perspective View ofthe interior of a freight hauling vehicle having side walls 10, .and endwall 11, a roof 12, and floor 13. The side walls 10 are provided withvertical spaced apart Z-shaped structural ribs 14. Removably attached toa plate 15 carried on the inner face of these ribs 14 are sectionallongitudinal supporting members 16. These removable supporting members16 are vertically spaced apart throughout the height of side walls 10,as shown in Fig. l. Between these removable supporting members 16 arewood ller blocks 17 of such thickness as to present a flush interiorwall to` retaining bar 18 having heads 19 providing jaw lockingstructures 20. It is these bars 18 that cooperate with the supportingmembers 16 for positioning and retaining the assorted sizes of freightwithin the vehicle.

As shown in Fig. 2, the retaining bar 18 isequipped with a head 19 ateither end thereof. Each of these heads is of like construction;therefore, I shall describe but one. The head 19, as shown in Figs. 3 to6, is telescopic as well as rotatable with respect to the bar 18. It

should be noted that each of the heads 19 may be rotatable, but that itis preferable that only one be telescopic t with respect to the bar 18.The bar 18 at either end is hollowed out to form a recess for the head19. The bar 18 may be either round or rectangular in cross section andsuch difference in form will have no effect upon the construction to behereinafter described. Fitted securely into the recess just previouslyreferred to, is a sleeve 21.. Slidable in the sleeve 21 is a casing 22.Extending inwardly of the sleeve 21 is a stop pin 23, the free end ofwhich rides in a slot 24 formed in theperiphery of the casing 22. Assuch, the casing 22 may move `in or out of the sleeve 21 a distanceequal to the length of the slot 24. Any additional movement isrestricted by `the pin 23.

Rotatably carried in the casing 22 is a jaw carrying rod 25. The freeend of the rod 25 extends beyond the inner end of the casing 22 as shownin dotted lines in Figs. 3 and 4. At this free end of the rod 25 thereis an exposed` stop pin 26. `This pin. 26 prevents telescopicl vmovementof the rod 25 relative to the casing 22 but permits the rod 25 to berotated through the longitudinal length of the casing 22.

The opposite end of the rod 25 is provided with an integral enlargeduplper-jaw-like structure 27. This structure 27 provides a lateral flatportion 28 extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bar 18.The free end of the plate 28 has two spaced apart notched-out portions29. Intermediate the notches 29 are spaced apart vertically extendingears 30. 'Journalled between these ears 3.0 on a suitable shaft 31 is alatch nger 32. The at plate 28 between the ears 30 provides ahollowed-out recess forming a seat for a spring 33. The outer end of thespring 33 bears against a portion of the latch nger 32, urging the samein a Vcounter-clockwise direction as viewed in Figs. 3., 5, 6 and 7, forpurposes hereinafter described.

The plate 28 provides spaced apart depending bosses 34. Between thesebosses 34 and rotatably carried by a stud pin 35 is a bearing structure36 (Figs. 7 and l1) of the lower jaw member 37. The lower jaw member 37provides vertically extending spaced apart latch teeth 38, The free endsof the teeth 38 are in vertical alignment with and are receivable in thenotched-out portions 29 of -the plate 28 of the upper jaw structure 27(as shown in Figs. 3 and 4).

Extending generally upwardly and rearwardly with respect to the member37 and teeth 38 between the bosses 34 and through an opening 39 formedin the structure 27, is a positioning arm 40 (Fig. 7). This arm 40 has afree end receivable in a recess 41 formed in the end of the casing 22(Figs. 3 to 7). The lower jaw structure is rotatable about the pin 35 ina clockwise direction, as shown in Figs. and 6. When the structure 36together with its cooperating elements is in a substantially horizontalposition, the free end of the arm 40 is disposed in the recess 41 andwill thereby prevent rotation of the head 19 and rod 25 through thelongitudinal axis of the casing 22. In such position as shown in Fig. 5,the latch linger 32 is in abutting relation with the free end of the arm40 and prevents clockwise rotation thereof.

When the latch finger 32 is raised and pivoted against the action of thespring `33, the lower jaw member 37 and its cooperating elements will bygravity pivot about the pin 35 in a clockwise direction as shown in Fig.6. Such rotation `of the lower jaw structure 37 could be accomplished byspring action or through gravity as hereinbefore explained.

In Figs. Sand 9 I have illustrated a form of retaining bar which has anon-telescopic, non-rotatable head. The head has an upper jaw structure27 and a lower jaw structure 37 similar in construction to the formshown in Figs. 3 to 6. However, in the illustration as depicted in Figs.8 and 9, the rod 25 is of a flat design and is attached in a recessformed in the bar, by means of a nut and bolt arrangement 42, both thenut and bolt being countersunk in the sides of the bar to prevententanglement with freight stored adjacent thereto.

In operation, the freight handler may removably attach a supportingmember 16 to each of the ribs 14 throughout the interior of the vehicle,or he may attach the supporting member 16 at such locations as is deemednecessary. The freight is packed or placed within the vehicle and .theretainer bar 18 is latched in place. The lower jaw 37 is opened by `theoperator in the manner hereinbefore described, andthe head may berotated,

or telescopically adjusted as the need may be and the at portion 28 maybe placed onjeither of the arms 24' or 24 of the member 16. In suchposition, the bar 18 may be moved along the length of the member 16. Theflat portion 28 thus presents a full flush bearing surface forAengagement with the member 16, which bearing surface is the full widthof the head 19 and by reason of such size prevents rotation of the head19 as it is slid along member 16. When the retaining bar 18 occupies thedesired position, usually in close proximity to the packed freight, thelower jaw structure 37 is rotated in an anticlockwise direction so as toproject the teeth 38 thereof through the aperture 25 of the member 16and into closed position with respect to the notched-out portions 29 ofthe upper jaw section 27, as shown in Fig. 11.

If the packed freight is of suicient size .and weight, it may bedesirable to employ two retaining bars and,

if so, the second of the bars may be attached to the arm 24, as shown inFig. 11.

It should be noted that as shown in Figs. y3 to 6, the heads y19 aretelescopically arranged with respect to the bar 18 and are only limitedin such telescopic movement by the pin 23 carried by the sleeve 21. Insuc-h construction, the pin may move longitudinally of the bar 18 undernormal sway of the side walls of the vehicle, and the swaying orpitching of the vehicle will not aiect the purpose and function of theretainer Vbars as hereinbefore described.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred form ofconstruction for carrying my invention into effect, this is capable ofvariation and modification without departing from the spirit of theinvention. I, therefore do not wish to be limited to the precise detailsof construction set forth, but desire to avail myself of such variationsand modifications as come within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire toprotect by Letters Patent is:

1. An attaching head for a load supporting cross bar which has operativeconnection to a cross bar supporting member, said head having means forremovably connecting said cross bar to said supporting member, saidconnecting means including a stationary upper jaw providing ahorizontally extending unobstructed ilush bearing surface engageableIwith and slidable on a portion of said supporting member, a lower jawpivotally connected to said stationary jaw about an axis transverselywith respect to the longitudinal axis of said cross bar, latch meanscarried by said lower jaw and adapted to engage and latch said head tothe support member so las to prevent horizontal movement of said headrelative thereto, said lower jaw when pivoted into a closed positionwith respect to the supporting member cooperates with said llush bearingsurface of said upper jaw ,to prevent vertical movement of said headrelative to said supporting member, and means carried by said stationaryjaw and adapted to engage a portion of said lower jaw when it is pivotedinto a closed position with respect to said upper jaw so as to latchsaid lower jaw in said closed position and to releasably latch the crossbar supporting member between said jaws.

2. An attaching head for a load supporting cross bar which has operativeconnection to a cross bar supporting member, said head having means forremovably connecting said cross bar to said supporting member, saidconnecting means including a stationary upper jaw providing ahorizontally extending unobstructed flush bearing surface engageablelwith and slidable on a portion of said supporting member, a lower jawpivotally connected to said stationary .jaw about an axis transverselywith respect to the longitudinal axis of said cross bar, latch meanscarried by said lower jaw and adapted to er1-gage and latch said head tothe supporting member so as to prevent horizontal movement of said headrelative thereto, said lower jaw when pivoted into a closed positionwith respect to the supporting member cooperates with said flush bearingsurface of said upper jaw to prevent vertical movement of said headrelative to said supporting member, a latch nger pivotally connected tosaid upper jaw and yieldably urged into engagement with a portion ofsaid lower jaw when it is pivoted into a closed position with respect tosaid upper jaw so as to latch said lower jaw in said closed position andto releasably latch the cross bar supporting member between said jaws.

3. A supporting member for releasably connecting a load bearing bar toan apertured support comprising a head including a stationary jawproviding a horizontally extending unobstructed ush bearing surfaceengageable with and slidable on said apertured support, a lower jawpivotally connected to said stationary jaw about an axis transverselywith respect to the longitudinal axis of said load bearing bar, latchmeans carried by said lower jaw and adapted to engage and latch saidhead to said apertured support so as to prevent horizontal movement ofsaid head relative thereto, said lower jaw when pivoted into a closedposition with respect to the upper jaw cooperates with said ush bearingsurface of said upper jaw to prevent vertical movement of said headrelative to the apertured support, means pivotally carried by saidstationary jaw and adapted to engage a portion of said lower jaw when itis pivoted into a closed position for latching said lower jaw in saidclosed position so as to releasably latch said apertured support betweensaid jaws, means provided by said bar for telescopically connecting saidhead thereto, means provided by said bar for rotatably connecting saidhead thereto, and a latch member provided by said lower jaw andengageable with the means for rotatably connecting said head to said barwhen said lower jaw is pivoted into its closed position for preventingrotation of said head relative to said bar and said apertured support.

4. The device as defined by claim 3 wherein said latch means comprises aplurality of locking pins insertable into preselected apertures formedin the apertured support.

References Cited in the file of this patenty UNITED STATES PATENTS Re.24,118 Fahland Feb. 7, 1956 2,091,869 McCurdy Aug. 31, 1937 2,440,437Fahland Apr. 27, 1948 2,467,681 McKinney Apr. 19, 1949 2,468,101 NampaApr. 26, 1949 2,514,229 Fahland July 4, 1950 2,519,846 Nampa 1 Aug. 22,1950 2,613,615 Nampa Oct. 4, 1952 2,679,214 Nampa May 25, 1954 2,725,826Tobin et al Dec. 6, 1955 2,806,436 Johnston Sept. 17, 1957

